Midweek

 The weather has been very warm the last couple of days, but today the wind has been blowing something fierce. I have a feeling a storm could be moving in.

Really not much happening here. I picked rhubarb again last night washed and chopped it this morning. It is now residing in my fridge freezer. 

Been working on a few of my many on the go projects and I will show pictures of them tomorrow

Other than a headache today (another reason I am thinking storm) I am in fine health and have managed to lose another 3 pounds. Keep this up and I will be back to my pre pandemic weight very quickly. Or at least I hope.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday Update

 I have now informed all the family as to what I found out during my visit to the Alan Blair Cancer Clinic on Wednesday so I guess it is time to update all my blogging friends.

We traveled to Regina on Wednesday for my appointment and the construction on the highways was crazy. We left 3 hours before my appointment and just made it. Harvey and I were both very stressed by the time we arrived. 

Got in pretty much immediately, but my stress level went even higher when they gave me a "My Treatment Journey" journal almost as soon as I arrived.

The oncologist said that the area of concern was in fact cancer, but it was stage 1A which is the very least that they measure and it seemed from what he read on the report that no more treatment would be necessary (lowered my stress level almost immediately). However he would not say I was 100% cured as they never do so.

I had an examination to make sure those sneaky cancer cells had not reached my colon and was told that for the rest of my life I would need to be checked once a year by my OB/GYN. That was a surprise.

He also told me that any change at all in my health, unexpected loss of weight, bloating or pain I was to get in to see a doctor immediately, and I was to be tested, scanned and any other tests my doctors figured necessary done and the results sent to the Alan Blair clinic. I was not to be put off with a shrug. He would be sending those recommendations to both the OB/GYN and my GP here in Estevan.

They were very disturbed that it took me almost 2 years to have my surgery and are checking into that. The oncologist said that should never have happened. Hopefully that changes how quickly others are able to have their surgery in the future. He said if it had been done earlier the pre cancerous cells probably would not have become cancer.

So there you have it. Good news over all and it is wonderful to know that they will be keeping a close eye on me. 

I also want to say that everyone who works at the clinic are wonderful and very caring. 

I will hopefully get to visit you all tonight, but forgive me if it takes a couple of days to get into the swing of things once again.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Another beautiful day, a bit cooler which is wonderful considering how hot it has been. We even managed a teeny tiny bit of rain overnight. 

So I have kind of processed my news. I always thought that the Cancer Clinic would phone, but that it would be a conversation over the phone with an oncologist saying "No everything is fine, you will not need any more treatment. Just keep going to your OB/GYN for the next (fill in the year) years to make sure all is okay.

Instead the call I got on Friday was to set up an appointment for a consultation as to where my journey will take me next. Hmmm, hopefully they are just being thorough, but the way my luck has been going lately, there is just that little bit of niggling doubt and worry that I will need more treatments. If so, I hope that all moves along smartly and considering how quickly the clinic phoned (about a week and a half later), I am pretty sure that if my worst fears are realized my treatments will start rapidly after my consultation (and another Pap smear, and another strange to me doctor). I just can't seem to win for trying lately.

So that's my news for now. I am busy working on those goals and slowly making my way through them. The pants were all hemmed, another 4 inches of a scarf done, and at least 200 stitches in the counted cross stitch (though that looks like nothing has been added to it). 

I will be trying to get as much done as possible just in case!!!

In other news are shots caused us to feel very fatigued, and my arm is sore and very red around the injection site. The redness is fading, but the fatigue and slight headache (me only not Harvey) is still with me. I have not been doing my walking over the last couple of days but hope to do a bit tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Update

 Well we got back late on Tuesday, and then the next morning I rushed around getting ready for Kris to descend on us while his apartment building (or at least the side that all the pipes traverse) gets fumigated. 

Surprisingly Kris arrived very early. Guess he had to be out of the apartment by 9, so left Regina at about 8. Spent a lovely day visiting and trying to coax Eiko out of hiding under the bed. I managed to do so a couple of times. Seems she is getting a bit more used to us each time Kris brings her along.

Now on to the other news. 

While not completely bad, it was not what I really wanted to hear. I started to get worried watching the OB/GYN flip back and forth in the pathology report. He then turned to me and said "I don't think you will need more treatment", and I breathed a sigh of relief..."But" he continued "there is an area of concern found. It isn't being called cancer, yet just to make sure I am reading this correctly I am forwarding it to the oncologists." Well he didn't say oncologist just kind of said that he was sending it to someone with more knowledge than him. I asked if he meant oncologist....

Dr. O said if I hadn't heard anything by the 4th of June I am to phone him and he will get to the bottom of why nothing has been done with it yet. Now that has me a bit concerned.

Dr. O said that he would like to see me every year for the next 4 or 5 years for a pap smear. Say what!!!! I thought once I did not have the parts that would be a thing of the past. Guess where the focus of concern is/was located he just wants to keep a close eye on it. 

I do like a thorough doctor, but this journey is taking a great deal out of me.

I will probably visit you all later when the men in my home have headed for the dam to fish.

Everybody have a wonderful day (or night depending on where you live).

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

It is early in the morning here on the old homestead and our first full day where we are alone in our home. I am hoping to get some catching up around the house done today, as well as catching up online and in a few other areas of our lives. 

Kris saw his specialist on Thursday evening (we did not get out of the office until around 8 pm). So we went out for supper after.

While Kris was in the office we went and did his shopping (of course in another store I had no idea of where anything was located) and when we were done, headed back up to the specialists office. Kris was no longer in the waiting room (this was around 6:15) so of course we thought he was in seeing the doctor. 

Turns out he was in the clinic downstairs getting xrays (which is/was good) and struggled up for another bit of a wait sitting in a chair beside us.

Great thing is he is healing very well (must follow doctors orders though) and the staples have been removed. The incision is clean, no longer draining and there is no sign of infection. Kris is really happy about that, not so happy with the results of the questions he asked the doctor concerning when he can head back to work, put weight on his leg or drive......

He has another appointment at the end of March and things will be reassessed at that point. I will just keep telling him to follow the doctors orders.

Now I get to put my own home in order before I head up there again on Friday (providing the weather is such that I can go). I think it might be a weekly trip for me, and I will plan on spending the night (Harvey does not like me driving home in the dark for some reason, and since it is March and a very unpredictable month weather wise be sure to pack enough for a couple of days stay).

Kurt is doing well. He seems to be a bit down, but I will be phoning him again on Sunday just to talk. He has posted a bit more on social media though and that is a good thing to see once again. I think he might be a bit worried about the Easter trip he has planned for some of his students and whether or not it will be cancelled due to this Covid-19 virus.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Mid Month Update

1.  Knit cardigan for me.  Working on, though I must admit not that much.

2.  Sew three projects for myself.  Plan on starting this tomorrow.

3.  Alter skirts.  Done

4.  Knit one prayer shawl.  Done

5.  Decluttering.  Working on this constantly and I will update you all on how much since January has left the house at the end of the month.

6.  Work on temperature blanket.  Doing my one row a day.

7.  Sew 2 new quilt tops.  Actually managed to get 4 quilt tops completed and found another I had done awhile back.

8.  Mount and frame more cross stitch.  Mounted and framed 3 more cross stich. I have trimmed a couple more and hope to finish all mounting (probably not all framed though) by the end of the month.

9.  Tidy up sewing/craft room again.  Things are beginning to look decent in the room. I work on things as I declutter.

10.  Cut out 2 more patterns.  Not done.

11.  Make up stock up list. Done

12.  Swap out wardrobe for spring/summer clothing.  Done

13.  Use some of the smaller balls of yarn to knit squares for a blanket.  Started and I have 2 small squares completed.

So things are not looking too bad for this months goals. I do need to knuckle down and get the sewing accomplished as well as the cardi. 

Now on to why I have been here and yet not here.

I had my cervical biopsy done last month and on Monday we made the trek to the city 2 hours away for the results. 

I can rest a bit easier in that the cells were not cancer, but what is called pre-cancerous. The specialist recommended surgery and gave me two choices. Needless to say I chose to have a total hysterectomy, mainly because he could not promise that these cells would not appear at a later date perhaps even when I was much older and less able to take the surgical interference. So once my doctor here gets the pre-op paper work done and sent back I should be back in the city within 2 to 6 weeks of that date. Finally an end is in sight, and I can rest a bit easier.

(Pictures tomorrow of the other quilt tops)

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Another Appointment

I went to the doctor's again today, this time to get the results from the newest blood tests. I am happy to report that my bad cholesterol is down and my good cholesterol is up!! We are going to try diet and exercise for another 8 weeks and see if it goes down even more. I am a happy patient, I really did not want to take meds as sometimes the side effects can be pretty bad.

However the doctor noticed that I hadn't had a mammogram in a very long time so I have another appointment in Regina. Thank heavens it is made for the same day I go for the gynecological tests. That saves us having to travel up to the city another day. Harvey is just shaking his head in confusion. I did tell him that this would be the end of tests unless the gynecologist finds that the high grade cells are cancer and I need to undergo treatments for that.

However, because of the doctor appointment in the middle of the afternoon I did not get everything accomplished that I had hoped to. Tomorrow is going to be jam packed!

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Pondering

I promised to let you all know why I was missing in action for awhile, or at least not posting lengthy missives.

You all know that I finally got a doctor and while my blood and urine tests were about what I expected (my cholesterol was a bit high), one test was not at all what I needed to hear.

My PAP came back with cells that are indicative of cervical cancer. My doctor called me in and said she had referred me to a specialist in Regina. I finally heard from him at the end of the week and I have an appointment with him in 2 months.

I am not too sure if Harvey understands the significance and I still have to tell Kurt and Kris as well as members of our combined family. I do want to know how bad it is and what the treatment is going to be before I tell the others, but I know if I don't tell our sons they are going to be very angry.

This is not something you tell your loved ones over the phone and so I am going to tell them when they are home for Christmas.

Now if I seem a bit distracted you all know why.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday Happenings

The day started out much like this.

Clouds moving in and out most of the morning. It kept us wondering whether the forecast was going to come true.

Needless to say, by the afternoon the skies had mostly cleared, there had been no rain, and the day had gotten very humid. So humid in fact that for the first time in about 3 weeks we needed to turn on our air conditioning. Still no rain, but I really do believe we will get something later this evening.

Harvey spent the day weeding his garden. Since he has been working on the deck nothing really got done and the weeds were slowly overtaking his plants.

Me, well I spent the day in the sewing room. That is exactly where I will be most of tomorrow as well. I really do want to meet my goal for this month and there is not much month left in which to do so. I managed to sew a top today and got out the dreaded jacket pattern. I am going to force myself to get that done over the next couple of days.

Hopefully on Monday I will have some lovely pictures to show you, as well as an update on how well I met my goals this month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Up Way Too Early and Feeling Blah

I am just feeling that little bit off this morning..... Not bad enough that I need to miss work (at leas I hope not), but I do wish I could crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head!!

I am working at one of the schools today and will be spending lots of time at the church. Seems they are putting on a musical. Must remember my camera. I hope to take a few pictures of the dress rehearsal if I can.

Tonight is the last weekly session of the Dogmatic Theology course I am giving. Now it is just make up classes for those that missed them. Here is hoping that I can continue this until the end of the month. Then I will hand in my resignation, unless there is something else Father Brian needs me to do.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Excitment In And Around the Phillips' Homestead

This morning was a series of exciting happenings. None of them good, but learning experiences for both Harvey and I.

I had just finished brushing my teeth, was spitting (I know kind of too much information but important to the story) and rinsing off my toothbrush. I had the hot water tap in my hand and was getting ready to shut it off. To my surprise the tap came off in my hand as I turned it.

This picture pretty much sums up what happened (without the guy on one knee proposing). Water was gushing out of the top of the now empty pipe and raining all over the bathroom!!! I madly stuck the tap back into the hole and proceeded to open the bottom of the vanity reaching with one hand to try and find a water turn off valve. Hmmm, we don't have one.

I was madly trying to sweep the water into the sink and down the drain while trying to get the bathroom door open to scream (yes that's right scream) for Harvey. All the time wondering if I would manage to wake him up with my yelling (the man sleeps like the dead sometimes).

To my surprise as I flung open the door, Harvey was standing beside the coffee pot. I told him to shut off the water. I guess the shooting water and my directions did not paint a good enough picture as he came in the bathroom to help me turn off the tap.

Finally I managed to get through to him (still madly trying to sweep the water that was building up into the sink and down the drain) and he raced off downstairs to shut off the water main.

A good portion of the next hour was spent cleaning up the flood while Harvey had his morning coffee and planned out how he was going to repair the tap. Turned out we needed to buy a whole new tap set. Three hours later (the old set was so corroded that it was hard to remove) we have new taps in the bathroom.

I went out a bit later and cut some lettuce and the rhubarb. While out I noticed some flashing lights. Never thought anything of it until I started to throw the rhubarb leaves out in the garbage bin in the alley. As I turned to come back into the house a voice called to me.

The gentleman who is building the large duplex (the one that will kind of invade my backyard privacy) was calling me.

It seems that someone or more than just one someone had tried to set fire to the building!! The police and fire chief asked me questions as well.... I can't believe that I had never seen or heard anything. I am keeping my eyes open for anything strange as I was asked. Right now they figure it was a group of teenagers causing trouble. I am just glad the whole building did not go up. Oh by the way the picture is one I found on the internet not the real deal.

I hope that tomorrow is a little more laid back.....

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Almost Done

Well dress rehearsal is over, pictures and longer post coming tomorrow. I have someone who has promised to take a picture of us dressed as camels tomorrow during the show.

Still want to bury the director up to her neck in hot sand (I would of course dig her out before too much damage could occur).

This will be my final performance as I am tired of the nitpicking and favorites.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Baby It's Cold Out There!!!

Good morning

Just thought I would do a quick little post about what is turning out to be winter in February. Hmm, now where did that Canadian groundhog get the idea that spring was on its way!!

Temperatures are -25 C with wind chills making it feel like -34 C. Sure hope the parking lot is cleared at work so I can plug in.

God bless.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Once again time got away from me and before I knew it months had passed since I had made a post.

Hmmm, hopefully when I retire things will fall into place with a bit more regularity.

That's right Harvey and I are retiring! Harvey a few months before me at the end of April, but my last day of work will be the last day of school this June. While we are looking forward to this change, both of us are a little leery of the direction our lives will take.

Both of us have always been extremely busy people and to have so much "spare" time could be a problem. Then there is the money situation. No I am not saying we did not prepare for retirement, it's just me, I worry constantly if we prepared enough. Now I guess I get to see if we did. This could mean going through our budget and making a few cuts or changing our money spending habits. Harvey even brought this up recently.... He never, ever mentioned the "b" word before and I was flabbergasted.

Thank heavens Harvey begins his retirement at the start of spring. This means he will be busy in the yard and getting the garden started. Heck fishing season will be starting up again and I can get him out from underfoot by sending him fishing. It is going to be the long, cold winter months that could cause us problems. See I have lots of hobbies and love to read.... Harvey on the other hand not so much. Here is hoping he will find something to do that keeps him happy and occupied.

Here are a few pictures of the sewing projects I have been doing over the last few months. This is a skirt that I embroidered the parrot on with my newest toy. My embroidery machine!!! I am slowly learning what it does and am having a great time doing so.










These are a few of the capris I made for the summer. I see they need to be pressed once again before I put them away.












This is my favorite skirt pattern. I have made many a skirt from this for both winter and summer.











Everybody have a great evening.

God bless.